Method of and apparatus for handling sheets



L. BAKER Sept. 1, 1942.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING SHEETS lfivENToR LEONARD BAKER BYATTORNj 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 26, 1940 Sept. 1*,"1942. L. BAKER2,294,649

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR- HANDLING SHEETS Fil ed July 26, 1940 eSheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR LEONARD BAKER L. BAKER 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 FiledJuly 26, 1940 INVENTOR LEONARD BAKER BY ml/s I Sept. 1, 1942'.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR HANlsLING SHEETS Sept. 1, 1942. L. BAKER2,294,649

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING SHEETS Filed July 26, 1940 6sheets-sheet 4' INVENTOR LEONARD BAKER .mm l A'r'ToRNEA Sept. 1, 1942.1.. BAKER METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLIN G SHEETS 6 Sheets-Sheet 6Filed July 26, 1940 E E Q 8: m2 8N .v mmm 5.

mm. \A mm. E E y Mm mm. m2

INVENTOR LEONARD BAKER TTORNEZ Patented Sept. 1, 1942 METHOD OF ANDAPPARATUS FOR HANDLING SHEETS Leonard Baker, Hillsdale, N. 1., assignorto Dex ter Folder Company, Pearl River, N.

poration ofNew York Application July 26, 1940, Serial No. 347,628 40Claims. (01. 27144) This invention relates to handling sheets of paper,cardboard or other materials, and while capable of general use, isparticularly adapted for the feeding and separation of sheets in orderto segregate sheets that are good or without defects from imperfect ordefective sheets and thus insure that sheets supplied to variouscustomers will meet the required standards for different classes ofprinted or other products which they supply to the trade.

One object of the present invention is to provide a novel method of andapparatus for handling sheets which enables them to be separated -anddelivered at. different points by selection while in a slowly advancedstream.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved methodof and apparatus for handling sheets which enables sheets that are goodor without defects to be separated and segregated from imperfect ordefective sheets with much greater rapidity and accuracy than hasheretofore been possible.

Another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus forfeeding, separating and segregating good and defective sheets and which,through a novel association of sheet feeding, switching and deliveringmechanisms, considerably reduces the space heretofore required forinstallation of apparatus for similar purposes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide novel operatingand control mechanisms for a switch employed to direct sheetsselectively to different points of delivery therefor.

Another object ofthe present invention is to provide novel sheetadvancing, guiding and switch means for removing or deflecting imperfeetor defective sheets out of the line of travel of sheets to a place ofdelivery for good or perfect sheets.- v

These and other objects of the present invention will appear as thefollowing description thereof proceeds, and in order, to more clearlyunderstand the invention reference may be had to the accompanyingdrawings illustrating apparatus constituting one embodiment of saidinvention and by which the method thereof may be carried out.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of said apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof with parts omitted for purposes ofclearer illustration; Fig. 3 is an enlarged broken or fragmentaryvertical longitudinal sectional view of sheet feeding, switching andguiding means included Y., a corln said apparatus, illustrating parts ofsaid means 4 moved into opposed, operative relation;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing parts of the sheetfeeding, switching and guiding means shifted relatively to provide forremoval of jammed or misfed sheets from between the same;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view, partly in section, offast acting drop roller operating, latch operating, switch operating andslow down roller operating cams and devices actuated thereby;

Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive are side elevations, partly in section, of thefast acting drop roller operating, latch operating, switch operating andslow down drop roller operating cams and devices, respectively;-

Fig. 10 is an enlarged broken or fragmentary side elevation of switchmechanism, a latch therefor, and latch operating means, showing a latchcarried part in position to prevent operation of the latch by the latchoperating means;

Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the latch and associated devices shown inFig. 10, with parts omitted for purposes of clearer illustration;

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 10, but showing the latch carried partin position for actuation ofthe latch by the latch operating means;

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Figs. 10 and 12 but showing the latch andthe switch mechanisms in positions occupied thereby when actuated by thelatch operating means and the switch operating means respectively;

Fig. 14 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on the line l4-l4 ofFig. 11, showing the latch in a position occupied thereby when about tobe reset;

Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic side elevation showing the switch mechanism inthe position occupied thereby for advance of good sheets to a place ofdelivery therefor; and

Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. 15 but showing the switch mechanism ina position occupied thereby for deflection of imperfect. or defectivesheets to another place of delivery therefor.

Broadly stated, the method of the present invention comprises formingand advancing, preferably in a continuous manner and with slow movement,a stream of lapped sheets each partially disposed upon the succeedingsheet in overlapping relation therewith, separating the sheetssuccessively and preferably rapidly from the front of the stream,advancing for further handling thereof separated sheets selected forthis purpose while in the stream, and moving or deflectingout fthelineef travel of the separated sheets'any sheet'or sheets selectedfor this -purpos'e while in the stream;

Sheets handled in accordance with the above method may be delivered in amanner such that sheets found by inspection in the stream to be good orwithout defects are advanced successively and, if desired, piled oneupon another at one point, while sheets found by inspection in thestream to be imperfect or defective are delivered to a different pointand, if desired, there piled one upon another in a separate pile.Further, the separated good sheets may be, and as herein disclosedpreferably are, advanced rapidly one after another in spacednon-overlapping relation and are then checked orslowed down successivelybefore assembly of said sheets one upon another in pile formation.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference charactersindicate like parts through-' out the several views, (Figs. 1, 2, and16) indicates broadly means for forming, preferablyin a continuousmanner, a stream of lapped sheets each partially disposed upon thesucceeding sheet in overlapping relation therewith, and

6 indicates broadly means for advancing, preferably in a slow continuousmanner, said stream of lapped sheets. The advancing means 6 provides afield of inspection adjacent which the inspector stands and inspects thesheets to determine which sheets of the stream are good or withoutdefects and which sheets of the stream are imperfect or defective, Thisis preferably done at the front of the stream of lapped sheets and theimperfect or defective sheets are removed from a forward line of travelof the sheets and preferably from the front of the stream by mechanismindicated broadly at I, while the sheets which are good or withoutdefects are advanced from the front of the stream along said line oftravel and handled and preferably piled one upon another by mechanismindicated broadly at 8.

The means 5 for forming the stream of lapped sheets may, for example,comprise a sheet feeder such as disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 2,208,304granted July 16, 1940, to Edwin W. Goodwin. A detail description of thisfeeder is unnecessary except to point out generally some of the partsand their manner of operation whereby the stream of lapped sheets isformed. Accordingly, 9 and I0 (Figs. 1 and 2) indicate rear uprights ofthe feeder frame and H and I2 indicate front uprights thereof which,together with the rear uprights, are bolted or otherwis suitably securedto the machine foundation 13 or place of instal lation of the apparatus.The uprights 9 and H are connected together by spaced side members l4bolted or otherwise suitably secured thereto and the uprights ID and 12are connected together by spaced side members 15 bolted or otherwisesuitably secured thereto. Uprights 9, H and their side members [4, anduprights I0, I2 and their side members l5 constitute side frames thatare connected together in any suit able manner by cross members one ofwhich is indicated at [6,

The feeder has journalled thereon near the top and at opposite sidesthereof shafts ll provided with sheaves I8 in teeth of which are engagedchains [9 the lower ends of which are secured in any suitable manner tolongitudinally extending elevator side bars 20. Mounted upon the sidebars are transversely extending elevator bars 2| that support a pileboard or elevator22=upon which is placed a pile of sheets 23; {Boltedor'otherwise suitablyzsecured on the (Fig. 1) that 'is supplied withcurrent from any suitable sourc and controlled by a suitable switch (notshown) employed to start and stop said motor. The motor 24 has fixed onthe armature shaft thereof a sprocket 25 around which passes a drivenchain 26 that also passes around and drives a sprocket 21 which is fixedon and drives the main drive shaft 28 of the apparatus. This shaft 28extends transversely of the hereinafter described mechanism 1 and isjournalled in any suitable manner in side frames 29 and 30 thereof.

The shaft 28 has fixed thereon and driven thereby a bevel gear 3| whichmeshes withand drives a similar gear 32 that is fixed on one end of ajack shaft 33 and serves to driv the same. The opposed ends of theshafts 28 and 33 extend through, and are journalled in any suitablemanner on, a bracket 34 that is bolted or otherwise suitably secured tothe side frame 29. The end of shaft 33 opposite that carrying the bevelgear 32 extends through, and is journalled in suitable bearings on, agear housing 35 that is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to thefront upright H at the bottom thereof. The shaft 33 has fixed thereonand driven thereby within the gear housing 35 a bevel gear 36 whichmeshes with and drives a similar gear 31 also located within saidhousing and fixed on the lower end of a vertical driven shaft 38extending within the housing and journalled thereon in any suitablemanner. The upper end of the shaft 38 is journalled in any suitablemanner in a bracket 39 that is bolted or otherwise suitably secured tothe front upright H near th top thereof. Fixed on the upper end of theshaft 38 and driven thereby is a bevel gear 40 which meshes with anddrives a similar gear 4| that is fixed on and drives a shaft 42extending transversely of the feeder and journalled in any suitablemanner on the front uprights II and I2.

Fixed on and driven by the shaft 42 is a spur pinion 43 (Fig. 2) whichmeshes with and drives a large spur gear 44 that is fixed on and drivesa shaft 45 (Fig. 2). The shaft 45 extends transversely of the feeder andis journalled in suitable bearings in the front upright I2 and inbrackets 46 and 41 spaced inwardly from the front uprights II and I2 andsecured thereto in any suitable manner. Extending transversely of thefeeder above and in spaced relation with the driven shaft 42 is a wormshaft 48 that is journalled in any suitable manner in the front uprightsII and I2 and in the brackets 46 and 41. In the normal operation of thefeeder the worm shaft 48 is driven intermittently from the shaft 45 bysuitable pawl and ratchet mechanism (not shown) such, for example, asdisclosed in the application of Edwin W. Goodwin, Serial No. 325,981filed March 26, 1940, and needing no detail description herein. Fixed onthe opposite ends of the intermittently rotated worm shaft 48 andintermittently driven thereby are worms one of which is indicated at 49in Fig. 1 of the drawings. These worms mesh with and intermittentlyrotate worm gears 50 (Figs. 1 and 2) that are fixed on and likewiserotate the shafts I1 and the sheaves l8. Thus, as sheets are separatedand forwarded successively from the top of the pile 23 by means to bepresently described, the chains I9 and the pile of sheets are raisedstep by step to keep the top of the pile at proper level machinefoundation I3 is anclectric motor 2} for separation and feeding of thesheets successively therefrom.

Fixed on and driven by the shaft 45 is a bevel gear (Fig. 2) whichmeshes with and drives a similar gear (not shown) that is fixed on thelower end of a short vertical shaft 52. This shaft 52 is journalled inany suitable manner on the front upright l2 and fixed on the upper endof said shaft is a bevel gear 53 driven thereby. The bevel gear 53meshes with and drives a similar gear 54 that is fixed on and drives acam shaft 55 extending longitudinally of the feeder at one side thereofand joumalled in manner disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 2,208,304.

Further, vacuum is created and 1 broken-in the sheet separating devices56 at suitable intervals and as disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 2,208,304,so that when said devices are lowered they engage the sheet and whensaid devices are raised they lift the sheet and release it forforwarding.

The separated sheets are forwarded in succession relative to the top ofthe pile 23 by suction sheet forwarding devices 51 that act tocontinuously form a stream of lapped sheets each partially disposed uponthe succeeding sheet in overlapping relation therewith as shown in Figs.1, 15 and 16 of the drawings. These sheet forwarding devices 51 areconstructed and operated in substantially the same manner as the sheetforwarding devices disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 2,208,304 and thereforeneed no detail description herein. It might be pointed out, however,that vacuum is created and broken in the sheet forwarding devices 51 atsuitable intervals such that when they are moved rearwardly they engagethe topmost separated sheet and when they are moved forwardly theyforward said sheet under and in lapped relation with a precedingforwarded sheet and there release said first named forwarded sheet.Forward and rearward movement is imparted to the sheet forwardingdevices 51 by a barrel cam 58 (Fig. 2) which is fixed on and driven bythe cam shaft 55. The cam 58 is located between the arms of a bracket 59mounted on one of the side members l5 and through which the cam shaft 55extends. Extending in the groove of the cam 58 and rocked forwardly andrearwardly thereby is an arm 60 (Fig. 2) which is fixed 0n and rocks ashaft BL' This rock shaft 6| is journalled in any suitable manner on thebracket 59 and on a bracket 52 (Fig. 1) that is mounted on one of the'side members l4. Extending in spaced parallel relation with the rockshaft 5| is a shaft 63 (Fig. 2) secured in any suitable manner upon thebrackets 59 and 62. Fixed on and rocked the connection of arms 54 and bylinks 65, said arms will be rocked forwardly and rearwardly and thesheet forwarding devices 51 willmove rearwardly and forwardly to takeand forward the separated sheets successively and form a lapped streamthereof as previously pointed out. 1

In the formation and advance of the stream of lapped sheets, each sheetis forwarded under and in lapped relation with the preceding sheetbetween a slowly driven feed roller 51 and cooperating pressure rollers68 (Figs. 1 and 2). In this manner, each sheet is disposed partiallyupon the succeeding sheet in overlapping relation therewith and theleading sheet of the stream is uppermost. The feed roller 51 is slowlydriven from the shaft 45 by suitable gearing including. a spur gear 59(Fig. 2) that is fixed on and driven by said shaft. This spur gear 59meshes with and drives a spur gear III that is fixed on a short shaft"1| Journalled in any suitable manner on the front upright l2 and thebracket 41. Fixed on and driven by the short shaft II is a spur gear 12which meshes with and drives an idler gear 13 that is journalled in anysuitable manner on the bracket 41. The idler gear 13 meshes with anddrives a spur pinion II which is fixed on and slowly drives the feedroller 51. The pressure rollers 68 are mounted in any suitable manner onthe feeder frame and cooperate with the feed roller 51 to slowly feedthe stream of lapped sheets therebetween and upon the sheet advancingmeans 5.

The sheet advancing means 5 receives and slowly advances the stream oflapped sheets and is preferablycomprised by slow driven tapes 15 thattravel over a feed board 15. The feed board 15 has bolted or otherwisesuitably secured to the side marginal edges thereof bars 11 which, in

turn, are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the. front uprightsll, l2 and the frames 29, 30. The tapes 15 pass around and are slowlydriven by a roller '18 rotated slowly at the same rate as that of theslow driven roller 51, and said tapes pass around and drive a frontidler roller 19 and also pass under feed board 16 and around tapetightening rollers 80. The front idler roller 19 extends transversely ofthe mechanism 1 and is journalled in any suitable manner .on the sideframes 29 and 30 thereof. The tape .tightening rollers 80 are of usualconstruction by the shaft 6| are arms 64 (Fig. 1) spaced from arm 60 andshaft 6| bycam 58 and through.

and mounted in any suitable manner transversely of the feeder upon thefront uprights II and I2 thereof. The slow driven tape roller I8 whichslowly drives the tapes [5 and the front idler roller 19, extendstransversely of the feeder and is journalled in anysuitable manner onthe brackets 46 and 51. This tape roller 18, as previously stated, isdriven slowly and at the same speed as that of the slow driven feedroller 61 and, for this purpose, the roller I8 has fixed thereon a spurpinion 8| (Fig. 2) which meshes with and is driven by the idler gear I3.

The slow moving sheet advancing means 6, as previously pointed out,provides a field of inspection in which the stream of lapped sheetsmoves slowlyfor observation by an inspector to determine which sheetsare good or without defects and which sheets are imperfect or defective.In either case, the sheets are rapidly separated in succession from thestream at the front thereof by means for this purpose to be presentlydescribed, and in this manner the slowly moving sheets of the stream arecompletely exposed in succession at the front of the stream thusenabling the i spector to observeeach sheet comof the stream preferablycomprises a series of rapidly driven spaced and transversely alignedrollers 82 and drop rollers 83 cooperating with certain of the rapidlydriven feed rollers 82. The feed and drop rollers 82, 83 (Figs. 2, 3, 15and 16) are mounted in front of the slow moving sheet advancing means 6to receive the sheets therefrom, and said feed and drop rollers 82, 83are disposed adjacent the mechanism I and are preferably mounted on theside frames 29 and 30 thereof.

The feed rollers 82 are fixed in spaced relation upon and rapidly drivenby, a rapidly driven shaft 84 which extends transversely of themechanism 1 and is journalled in suitable bearings in the side frames 29and 30 thereof. The shaft 84 has fixed thereon a small spur gear 85(Fig. 1) which meshes with and is driven by an idler gear 88 journalledin any suitable manner on the side frame 29. The idler gear 86 mesheswith and is driven by a small spur gear 81 fixed on a driven shaft 88extending transversely of the mechanism 1 and journalled in any suitablemanner onvthe side frames 29 and 30 thereof. The gear 81 meshes with andis driven by an idler gear 89 journalled in any suitable manner on theside frame 29. The idler gear 89 meshes with and is driven by a smallspur gear 90 (Fig. 2) fixed on a driven shaft 9I extending transverselyof the mechanism 1 and journalled in any suitable manner on the side,frames 29 and 30 thereof. The shaft 9| has fixed thereon a drivingsprocket 92 around which passes a driving chain 93 that also passesaround and is driven by a sprocket 94 fixed on the main drive shaft 28.The gears and sprockets of the train between rollers 82 and shaft 28 arerelatively small and it will thus appear that the feed rollers 82 arerapidly driven through the described connections therefor with the maindrive shaft 28.

The drop rollers 83 are mounted upon and actuated toward and away fromthe rapidly driven feed rollers 82 by mechanism preferably comprisingthe following devices. Fixed on the main drive shaft 28 adjacent theinner side of the frame 30 is a spur pinion 95 (Figs. 3 and which mesheswith and drives a spur gear 96 that is fixed on and drives a short camshaft 91. The cam shaft 9'! is journalled in suitable bearings in theside frame 30 and a yoke 98 the arms of which are indicated at 99 andI00. The yoke 98 is secured upon the side frame 30 outwardly of and inspaced relation therewith by studs IOI, I02 and I03 that are bolted orotherwise suitably secured to the yoke and its arms and to the sideframe 30.

Fixed on and driven by the cam shaft 91 is a cam I04 (Figs. 5 and 6)that engages a roller I05 journalled on one end of a lever I06 pivotallymounted on the stud I02. The roller I05'is continuously maintained inengagement with the cam I04 by a vertically disposed spring pressed rodI01 having its lower end pivotally connected with the lever I06 (Figs.3, 5 and 6) and its upper end extending through a suitable opening inand guided by a stud I08 (Fig. disposed horizontally above the cam shaft91 in spaced relation and vertical alinement therewith. The

"stud I08 projects outwardly from and is secured in any suitable mannerto the side frame 30. The lever I06 is thus rocked by the cam I04 duringrotation thereof to reciprocate a link I09 bearings in the side frames29 and 30 thereof.

Fixed on the rock shaft III in spaced relation along the same are armsII2 which are rocked by said shaft. Loosely mounted on shaft III arearms l I3 upon which are journalled the drop rollers 83 that cooperatewith certain of the rapidly driven feed rollers 82. The arms I12, II3are yieldably and adjustably connected together by small springpressedrods H4 and it will therefore be apparent that during rockingmovement of the arms II2 the drop rollers 83 will be rocked toward andaway from the rapid- 1y driven feed rollers 82 with which theycooperate.

The described driving and operating connections between the main driveshaft 28, and the sheet forwarding devices 51, the slow moving tapes"I5, and the drop rollers 83 are such that once during each cycle ofoperation of the machine the drop rollers 83 are raised, the slow movingtapes I5 advance the leading sheet of the stream between said rollersand the rapidly driv-. en feed rollers 82, the drop rollers 83 lower andin cooperation with said feed rollers rapidly separate and advance theleading sheet from the front of the stream, and the sheet forwardingdevices 51 add a sheet to the stream at the rear thereof. Rapid removalof sheets one after another from the front of the stream by the feed anddrop rollers 82, 83 completely uncovers succeeding slow moving sheetsadjacent that point and enables the inspector to observe each slowmoving sheet completely while it is still in the stream at the frontthereof and before it reaches the feed and drop rollers 82, 83. Theinspector can thus separate the good sheets from the imperfect ordefective sheets by the mechanism I which mechanism is preferablyconstructed and operated as follows.

The side frames 29, 30, which are bolted or otherwise suitably securedto the machine foundation I3, are connected together by a stay tube II5(Figs. 3 and 4) that is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to saidframes. The stay tube II5 has secured thereto in any suitable manner acenter support I I5 (Fig. 1) having bearings for the driven shafts 84,88 and 9I and through which said shafts pass. Extending transversely ofthe mechanism 1 and bolted or otherwise suitably secured to frames 29,30 are cross bars II6 (Fig. 3) which carry transversely spaced top rodsIII. These top rods I I! are disposed in alinement with the spacesbetween the rapidly driven feed rollers 82, and said rods are bolted orotherwise suitably secured to the cross bars II6. Disposed under and inspaced relation with the top rods II! are spaced, transversely alinedstationary sheet guides II8 (Figs. 2, 3, 4, 15 and 16) that are curvedforwardly, downwardly and rearwardly and have upper, rear extremitiesextending in the spaces between the rapidly driven feed rollers 82. Thestationary sheet guides II8 are welded or otherwise suitably secured inspaced relation on cross rods I I9 which extend transversely of themechanism I. through slots or openings in the center support 5' and arebolted or otherwise suitably secured on the side frames 29,30.

Cooperating with the stationary guides I I8 and arranged in spacedopposed relation therewith are transversely spaced and alined movableguides I20 (Figs. 3, 4, and 16) curved in conformity with th stationaryguides H8 and having upper ends disposed below and in spaced relationwith the top rods H1. The movable guides I20 are welded or otherwisesuitably secured in spaced relation on cross rods I2I mounted on amovable carriage indicated broadly at I22. This movable carriage I22includes'side plates I23, I24 to which the cross rods I2I are bolted orotherwise suitably secured adjacent rear edges of said plates that arespaced from and curved in conformity with the guides I20. The carriageI22 and parts carried thereby may be moved toward and away from thestationary guides I I8 for purposes hereinafter described, and the sideplates I23, I24 of said carriage are accordingly mounted for slidingmovement in and along guides I25 that are bolted or otherwise suitablysecured to the side frames 29-, 30. Extending in the spaces between thestationary guides II8 are a plurality of sets of spaced laterally alinedrapidly driven feed rollers I26, I21, I28 disposed one set in advance ofthe other and arranged in conformity with the curvature of said guides.

The rollers I26 are fixed on the shaft 88 in spaced relation and aredriven by said shaft. The rollers I21 are fixed on the shaft 9I inspaced relation and are driven by that shaft. The rollers I28 are fixedon and driven by a shaft I29 extending transversely of the mechanism 1through the center support 5' and journalled in any suitable manner insaid support and on the side frames 29, 30. The gear 90 (Fig. 2) mesheswith and drives an idler gear I30 (Fig. 1) journalled in any suitablemanner on the side frame 29. Idler gear I30 meshes with and drives agear I3I fixed on the shaft I29 which shaft and the rollers I28 thereonare thus driven by said idler gear. The rollers I26, I21. I28 are drivenat the same rate of speed as that of the rollers 82. Extending in spacesbetween. certain of the top rods II1 are floating pressure rollers I32(Figs. 3, 4, 15 and 16) which cooperate with certain of the driven setof feed rollers I26. The rollers I32 are fixed on a floating shaft I33extending transversely of the mechanism 1 and journalled in openbearings I34 of brackets I35 mounted on a tie rod I36 bolted orotherwise suitably secured to the side frames 29, 30. Extending inspaces between certain of the curved movable guides I20 are sets ofpressure rollers I31.

cooperating with certain of the feed rollers I21 and I28. The rollersI31 are journalled on arms I38 loosely mounted on stay shafts I39extending transversely of the mechanism 1 and bolted or otherwisesuitably secured on the side plates I23, I24 of the carriage I22.

Fixed on the stay shafts I39 are arms I40 yieldably and adjustablyconnected with the arms I38 through the medium of small spring pressedrods MI by which the rollers I31 may have their pressure adjustedrelative to the driven feed rollers I21 and I28 with which theycooperate. Disposed at the lower or delivery end of the guides I I8, I20is a rapidly driven feed roller I42 and cooperating floating pressurerollers I43. The feed roller I42 extends transversely of the mechanism 1and is journalled in suitable bearings in the side frames 29, 30thereof. The gear I3I (Fig. 1) on driven shaft I29 meshes with'anddrives an idler gear I44 which, in turn, meshes with and drives anotheridler gear I45. The idler gears I44, I45

are journalled in any suitable manner on the side frame 29 and the idlergear I45 meshes with and drives a gear I46 fixed on the roller I42 whichis thus driven by said last named idler gear at the same rate of speedas that of the rollers 82. The pressure rollers I43 are fixed in spacedrelation on a floating shaft I41 extending transversely of themechanism 1. and journalled in open bearings I48 bolted or otherwisesuitably secured on the side frames 29, 30. Extending rearwardly fromthe rollers I 42, I43 and disposed under the sheet opposite end of saidtable is supported on standards I52 bolted or otherwise suitably securedto said table and resting on the machine founda-' tion I3.

Fixed on the shaft 9| and driven thereby is a sprocket I53 (Fig. 1')which drives a chain I54 that passes around said sprocket. The chain I54also passes around and drives a sprocket I55 that is fixed on andrapidly drives a roller I56 (Figs. 2, 3, 15 and 16) at the same rate asthat of the rapidly driven rollers hereinbefore described and includingthe rollers 82. The roller I56 extends transversely of the mechanisms 1and 6. The side frames of mechanism 8 are indicated at I51 and I58 andare connected together in any suitable manner and bolted or otherwisesuitably secured to the machine foundation I3. Side frames I51, I58 aredisposed outwardly of and overlap side frames 29, 30 and the roller I56is journalled in any suitable manner in said side frames.

Passing around and driven by the roller I56 are tapes I59 which passaround and drive a roller I60. The roller I60 extends transversely ofthe mechanism 1 and is journalled in any suitable manner in the sideplates I23, I24 of the carriage I22. Cooperating with the roller I60 arefloating pressure rollers I6I secured at intervals on a floating shaftI62 extending transversely of the mechanism 1 and journalled in openbearings mechanism 1 and bolted or otherwise suitably secured on theside frames 29, 30 thereof. A second stay shaft I69 extends transverselyof the mechanism 1 and is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to theside frames 29, 30 to connect them together.

Interposed between the driven feed rollers I26 and the roller I60 is aswitch comprised by transversely alined spaced elements I10 arrangedbelow and in spaced relation with the top rods H1 and extending in thespaces between the stationary guides H8 and the movable guides I20. Theswitch elements I10 are secured in spaced relation on a rock shaft I1Iextending transversely of the mechanism 1 and journalled in any suitablemanner on the side plates I23, I24 of carriage I22. Shaft I1 I andelements I10 constitute a switch unit movable, as hereinafter described,to difierent positions. In the position of this unit shown in Figs. 3,10, 12 and 15, sheets found to be good r without defects and rapidlysepa-v rated from the front of the stream by the rollers 82, 83 arerapidly advanced one after another in non-overlapping relation betweenthe top rods H1 and upper portions of stationary guides II8,

then over the switch elements I10, then between the rollers I60, I6I andthen onto tapes I59 which advance the sheets to the mechanism 8. In theposition of the shaft I1] and switch elements I10 shown in Figs. 13 and16 of the drawings, sheets found by inspection to be imperfect ordefective are rapidly separated from the front of the stream by rollers82, 83 and are likewise advanced under switch elements I10 along andbetween the stationary and movable guides II8, I20 by the rollers I26,I32, the rollers I21, I28, I31, and the rollers I42, I43 which deliversuch sheets upon the table I49 where they are piled one upon anotheragainst the guides I50, II.

The switch unit I10, I1I is operated and controlled by mechanismincluding the following devices. Journalled in any suitable manner inthe feed board 16 at the side thereof adjacent which the inspectorstands, is a short vertical shaft I12 (Fig. 2) having fixed thereonabove said table a. horizontally extending operating handle I13. Fixedon the short vertical shaft I12 below the table 18 is an arm I14 havingpivotally connected therewith, as by a ball and socket connection I15,one end of a link I16. The opposite end of the link I16 is pivotallyconnected, as at I11 (-Figs. 10, 12 and 13) with the lower extremity ofa vertically disposed lever I18 located opposite an opening I19 in theside frame 30. The lever I18 is pivoted intermediate its opposite ends,as at I80, on the side plate I24 of carriage I22. The upper extremity oflever I18 is disposed adjacent a lug I8I (Fig. 11) extending laterallyfrom one side and the front of a block I82 provided therein with anelongated vertical slot I83. This block I82 is slidably mounted on alatch I84 at the underside thereof, and said latch is pivotally mountedon a pin I85 that extends outwardly through the opening I19 and isbolted or otherwise suitablysecured on the side plate I24 of carriageI22. Spring pressed bolts I86 extend through the slot I83 and throughsuitable openings in the latch I84 and a washer or plate I81, and saidbolts serve to hold the block I82 on the latch I 84 and provide forsliding movement of said block in opposite directions along said latchand between the latter and the plate or Washer I81. A spring I88 engagesthe latch I84 above the same and normally tends to press said latchdownwardly in the full line position thereof shown in Fig. of thedrawings. The spring I I88 engages a pin I 89 projecting outwardlythrough the opening I19 and secured in any suitable manner on the sideplate I 24 of carriage I22. The spring I88 is held in position by ascrew I90 extending therein and which is threaded in a suitable openingformed in the pin I89.

J ournalled in any suitable manner on the latch I84 near the top andfront thereof are spaced, transversely extending rollers I! for guidinglatch controlling and operating mechanism including a plate or feelerI92 that is reciprocated between and guided by the rollers I9 I. Theplate or feeler I92 is secured in any suitable manner on the upper endof a reciprocated rod I93 and said plate or feeler has formed in oneside thereof a slot I94 (Fig. 14) the lower end of which provides ashoulder I95 and the upper end of which is shaped to provide a cam faceI96. The forward end of the latch I 84 is reduced and extends past theplate or feeler I92 at one side thereof. The forward end of the blockI82, however, while reduced adjacent the lug I8I projects laterally fromthe reduced end of the latch I84 and in alinement with the slot I94 ofthe plate or feeler I92. The plate or feeler I92 is reciprocatedcontinuously by the rod I93 and normally moves up and down past theblock I82 and the latch I84 without lifting said latch. If, however,lever I18 is swung clockwise as viewed in Fig. 10 of the drawings, itwill engage lug I8I of the block I82 and move said block forwardly onthe latch into the slot I94 of the plate of feeler I92. Thereupon onupward movement of the plate or feeler I92 the shoulder I95 thereof willengage the block I82 and lift the latch I84. On downward movement of theplate or feeler I92 cam face I98 will engage a similar cam face I91 onblock I82 and move said block rearwardly on latch I84 and out of theslot I94 of the plate or feeler I92.

The reciprocated rod I93 has its lower end pivotally connected, as atI98, with one extremity of a lever I99 (Figs. 5 and '1) pivoted on thepin I02 of the yoke 98. Lever I99 has journalled thereon a roller 200that is continuously maintained in engagement with a cam 2.0I by avertically disposed spring pressed rod 202 having its lower endpivotally connected with said lever and its upper end guided in asuitable opening formed in the pin I08, The cam 20I is fixed on the camshaft 91 and driven thereby. It will thus appear that the rod I93 andthe plate or feeler I 92 is reciprocated by the cam 20I through thedescribed operating connections therebetween.

The forward end of the latch I84 is normally engaged with the shoulder203 of one arm 204 (Figs. 10 and 14) of a bell crank 205 the other armof which is indicated at 208. The bell crank 205 is loosely mounted onthe shaft I1I that carries the switch elements I10. The shaft I1Iextends outwardly through the opening I19 for the mounting adjacentthereto of the bell crank 205 on said shaft. Fixed on the shaft I1Iadjacent the bell crank 205 is an arm 201 yieldably connected, as byspring pressed bolt 208, with the arm 204 of said bell crank. The arm204 is provided with a laterally extending lug 209 (Figs. 10 and 11) andthe spring pressed bolt 208 passes through suitable openings in said lugand the arm 201.

The bell crank arm 206 has pivotally connected therewith one end of arod 2I0 the opposite end of which is pivotally connected with a lever 2(Figs. 5 and 8) pivotally mounted on the pin I02 of yoke 98. Lever 2IIhas journalled thereon a roller 2I2 normally maintained out ofengagement with the low part of a cam 2I3 by engagement of latch I84with bell crank arm 204. A suitably disposed spring pressed rod 2I4 hasits lower end pivotally connected with lever 2H and its upper end guidedin a suitable opening in the pin I08. The cam 2I3 is fixed on and drivenby the cam shaft 91 and upon disengagement of the latch I84 from bellcrank arm 204 the cam 2 I3 will, through the described operatingconnections between the same and the switch elements I10, rock saidelements out of and then back into the full line positions thereof shownin Figs. 3 and 15 of the drawings.

Under normal operating conditions, the carriage I22 and all partscarried thereby occupy the full line positions thereof shown in Figs. 3and 10 of the drawings. If, however, a sheet or sheets become jammedbetween the stationary and movable guides I I8 and I20 or in thevicinity of the switch elements I10, the carriage I22 and parts carriedthereby may be moved to the full line positions thereof shown in Fig. 4of the drawings, thus facilitating ready removal of the of the frames 29and 30 arms jammed sheet or sheets. The carriage I22 and parts carriedthereby may be moved into andout of the normal position for operation ofsaid parts by any suitable means for this purpose but as herein shownsaid means is preferably comprised by the following devices. Extendingtransversely of the mechanisms 1 and 8 and iournalled in any suitablemanner in frame 30 and frames 29 and I51 is a shaft 2I5 (Figs. 1 and 2)having fixed thereon exteriorly of the frame I51 a hand wheel 2I6. Thisshaft 2I5 has fixed thereon interiorly 2'" (Figs. 2,3 and 4) havingpivotally connected therewith corresponding ends of links 2I8. Theopposite ends of the links 2I8 are pivotally connected with the sideplates I23, I24 of the carriage I22 and it will appear that by turningthe hand wheel 2 I6 in opposite directions, the carriage I22 and allparts carried thereby may be moved in one direction along the guides I25to the full line position of the carriage and said parts shown in Fig. 4of the drawings or in the opposite direction to the full line positionof the carriage and said parts shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

The sheets found by inspection to be good or ithout defects are rapidlyseparated and advanced in spaced non-overlapping relation over thes'witchvelements' I10 by the feed and drop rollers 82, 83, then betweenthe feed and pressure rollers I26, I32, and then between thetape rollerI60 and pressure rollers I6I whereupon advance of said sheets iscontinued, in the manner stated, by the rapidly driven tapes I59. It isdesirable to check or slow down the speed of the sheets advanced by thetapes I59 prior to delivery and piling of the same in mechanism 8' andfor this purpose said sheets are delivered one after another between aslow driven roller 219 and cooperating drop rollers 220. The roller 2 I9 extends transversely of the mechanism 1 and is journalled in anysuitable manner in the side frames 29 and 30 thereof. Roller 2I9 isslowly driven from the fast driven tape driving roller I56 by a smallpinion 22I (Figs. 2 and 3) fixed on and drivenby said last named roller.This pinion 22I meshes with and drives an idler gear 222 which hascompounded therewith and rotated thereby a somewhat smaller idler gear22'3. The idler gears 222, 223 are journalled in any siutable manner onthe side frame 30 and the idler gear 223 meshes with and slowly drives asomewhat larger gear 224 that is fixed on and slowly drives the roller2| 8.

The drop rollers 220 are joumalled on arms 225 (Fig. 3) loosely mountedon a rock shaft 226 extending transversely of the mechanisms 1 and 8.

This rock shaft 226 is journalled in any suitable manner on side frame29 and side frames 30 and I58 and projects outwardly from the latter.The rock shaft 226 also extends through and is journalled in a centersupport 221 mounted on atie rod 228 extending transversely of themechanism 1 and bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the side frames29 and 30 thereof.

. Fixed on the rock shaft 226 are arms 229 yieldably and adjustablyconnected with the arms 225 by small spring pressed rods 230 through themedium of which the pressure of drop rollers 220 may be adjustedrelative to the slow driven roller 2I9. Arms 225 are thus connected witharms 229 to rock with the latter and the rock shaft 226. Fixed on theoutwardly projecting end of the rock shaft 226 is an arm 23I havingpivotally connected therewith the upper end of a vertically disposedlink 232. The lower end of link 232 is pivotally connected with a lever233 (Figs. 3,

- cam shaft 91 and provided thereby one after mounted intermediate itsop'posite ends on the pin I03 of yoke 98. Lever 233 has joumalledthereon a roller 234 that is continuously maintained in engagement witha cam 235 by a vertically disposed spring pressed rod 236 having itslower end pivotally connected with said lever and its upper end guidedin a suitable opening in the pin I08.

The cam 235 is loosely of an index disk 231 fixed mounted on the hub onand driven by the with a circular series of spaced openings 238. The cam235 has mounted thereon a spring pressed pin 239 engaging the index disk231 through one of the openings 238, and it will thus appear that saidcam is driven by said disk through the connection therebetween providedby the springpressed pin 239. 'The driven cam 235, through the describedoperating connections between the same and the arms 225, raises andlowers the drop rollers 220 once duringeach cycle of operation of theapparatus, and, accordingly, sheets advanced by the rapidly driven tapesI 59 are fed another between the .slow driven roller 2I9 and the droprollers 220 and are checked or slowed down thereby in succession beforedelivery and piling of the sheets one upon another in the mechanism 8.The timing of the drop rollers 220 relative to advance of the sheets issuch that said rollers are raised above each sheet until the same haspartially entered the mechanism 8, whereupon said rollers are loweredand engage the rear portion of the sheet with the slow driven roller 2I9thereby checking orslowing down the sheet. The rollers 2I9, 220 thusprevent rebound of the sheets in the mechanism 8, and provide forsuccessive sheets, checked or slowed down in the manner stated, to bepiled evenly one upon another in the mech anism 8. The leading edges ofsheets, regardless of the lengths thereof, will always reach the rollers2I9, 220 at the same predetermined, successive intervals, but this isnot true of the trailing or rear edges of sheets of different lengths.Accordingly, and since the rollers 2| 9, 220 act on rear portions of thesheets, the sheet engaging action of the drop rollers 220 may beadvanced or retarded in accordance with decreased or increased length ofthe sheets so that the rollers 220 will drop into engagement with rearportions ofthe sheets on slow driven rollers 2I9 regardless of thelength of said sheets. This is accomplished by disengaging Din 239 fromdisk 231, rotating cam 235 about the hub of said disk to set the cam inaccordance with the length of the particular sheets to be handled, andengaging the pin in the proper opening of the series 236 on said disk.In this manner, the pin 239 may be engaged in any of the series ofopenings in disk 231 according to various lengths of sheets handled inthe apparatus.

The checked or slowed down sheets, as before stated, are delivered oneupon another and piled in the mechanism 8. This mechanism, as hereinshown, comprises a delivery or layboy constructed and operated along thelines of deliveries and layboys known in the art and needing no detaildescription herein. It might be pointed out, however, that the deliveryor layboy herein shown and comprising mechanism 8 includes, in additionto the side frames I 51 and I58, a pile board or elevator 240 havingconnected therewith cables 2 which pass over sheaves (not shown) at theforward end and top of the mechanism 8. The pile board or support alsohas connected aerewith cables 242 and these cables, as well s the cables24 I pass over sheaves 243 journalled t the top and rear of themechanism 8 in any uitable manner. Cables 24I, 242 extend downzardly andare secured to and wound upon lrums such as indicated at 244 (Fig. 3)and vhich are located at opposite sides and near the )ottom ofmechanism'B. The drums 244 have :ecured thereto or formed integrallytherewith vorm gears such asindicated at 245 and these gears and thedrums are journalled in any suitable manner on the side frames 29, 30.

Worm gears 245 mesh with and are driven by worms such as indicated at246 (Fig. 1) and these worms arefixed on and driven by a worm shaft 241extending transversely of the apparatus and journalled in any suitablemanner on the side frames 29 and 30. The sheets, slowed down by therollers 2I9, 220 and delivered therefrom into the mechanism 8, engagesuitable guides such as indicated at 248 (Figs. and 16) and are piledone upon another on the pile board or elevator 240. -As the height ofthe pile on the board or elevator 240 increases, the worm shaft 241 isoperated from time to time by suitable means (not shown) to drive wormgears 245 and drums 244 so that cables 2, 242 are unwound from saiddrums and lower the pile board or elevator 240 and the pile of sheetsthereon.

The operation of the entire apparatus will be clear from the foregoingdescription and may be briefly summarized as follows. The sheets of pile23 are separated successively from the top there of by the sheetseparating devices 58 and formed into a stream advanced forwardly overthe pile by the sheet forwarding devices 51 in such manner that eachsheet is partially disposed upon and overlaps the succeeding sheet. Thestream of lapped sheets is advanced slowly over the feed board 16 by theslow driven tapes 15. The inspector, standing adjacent the feed board 18at the side thereof on which handle I13 is mounted, inspects the slowlymoving sheets to determine which are good or without defects and whichare imperfect or defective. Upon observing an imperfect or defectivesheet the inspector turns the handle I13 in a counterclockwise direction(Fig. 2) before that sheet reaches the rapidly driven feed rollers 82and cooperating drop rollers 83. Thereupon, at a predetermined time andin timed relation with the operation of the sheet forwarding devices 51and the drop rollers 83, the switch elements I10 are raised and deflectthe imperfect or defective sheets between guides II8, I20. This isaccomplished in the following manner. When the handle I13 is turned in acounterclockwise direction (Fig. 2) by the inspector, the rod I16 isactuated to swing arm I18 so that it engages the lug I8I of block I82and slides said block forwardly on latch I84 into the slot I94 of thereciprocating plate or feeler I92, as shown in Fig. 12 of the drawings.

Thereafter, upon upward movement of the plate or feeler I92 shoulder I95thereof will engage block I82 and lift latch I84 out of engagement withbell crank arm 204, as shown in Fig. 13 of the drawings. Shortly inadvance of the upward movement of the plate or feeler I92, bell crank205 is rocked slightly by the high part of cam 2I3 (Fig. 8) to move theshoulder 203 of bell crank arm 204 away from the end of latch I84. Thisfrees the latch from said shoulder and enables the plate or feeler I92to. freely lift the latch. When the latch I84 is lifted as aforesaid,the spring pressed rod 2I4 (Fig. 8) swings the lever 2 downwardly, thehigh part of cam 2I3 then having passed roller 2I2 which now follows thelow part of said cam enabling rod 2I4 to swing lever 2II downwardly asaforesaid. When lever 2 is swung downwardly, rod 2I0 is moved downwardlyand, through its connection with the switch elements I10, swings saidswitch elements up into the positions thereof shown in Figs. 13 and 16of the drawings. In the meantime, cam I04 (Fig. 6) through the operatingconnections between the same and the drop rollers 83 has lowered saidrollers into engagement with the inspected, defective sheet on therapidly driven rollers 82 and the latter, together with the rollers I26,I32 feed said sheet under the switch elements I10 and along the guidesII8, I20. Rollers I21, I28, I31, I42 and I43 then feed the inspected,defective sheet along and out of the guides II8, I20 onto the table I49between the sheet piling guides I50 and against the sheet piling guideI5I.

After turning the handle I13 in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 2) todeflect or switch out a defective sheet, the inspectorimmediatelyreleases the handle and said handle and the parts connectedtherewith are returned to their original positions by downward movementof the plate or feeler I92 produced by the spring pressed rod 202 and adwell 249 on cam 20I. This downward movement of the plate or feeler I92causes the cam face I96 thereof to engage the cam face I91 of block I82and slide said block rearwardly on the latch I84 and out of the slot I94of the plate or feeler I92. The lug I8I on block I82 thus moves leverI18 and the parts connected therewith, including handle I13, back totheir original positions. The dwell 250 of cam 20I, in conjunction withthe spring pressed rod 202, then slightly raises the plate or feeler I92to bring the slot I94 of the plate or feeler I92 opposite the block I82so that successive imperfect or defective sheets may be switched out ofthe line of travel of sheets to mechanism 8 by successive operations ofhandle I13, block I82, and switch elements I10.

After the switch elements I10 have been raised and the imperfect sheethas been switched out, the spring pressed rod 2I4 in conjunction withthe high part of cam 2I3 lowers the switch elements I10 to the positionthereof shown in Fig. 15 through the described connections between thelever 2H and the rock shaft I1I. The bell crank 205, which previouslyhas been rocked under the latch I84 upon lifting thereof, as shown inFig. 13, is now rocked in the opposite direction and the latch I84,'withthe aid of spring I88, is reengaged with bell crank arm 204 behind theshoulder 203 thereof (Fig. 10). The inspected sheets found to be good orwithout defects are, as previously described, separated and advancedfrom the front of the stream rapidly and in non-overlapping relation bythe rapidly driven feed rollers 82 and cooperating drop rollers 83.These good sheets pass over the switch elements I10, then on to therapidly driven conveyor tapes I59, and then between the slowly drivenroller 2I9 and drop rollers 220 which check or slow down the good sheetssuccessively at the rear thereof whereupon said sheets are deliveredinto the mechanism 8 and piled one upon another on the board or elevator240 thereof which is lowered at suitable intervals as previouslydescribed.

As long as successive slow moving sheets of the stream are found to begood or without defects,

the switch elements remain in the positions thereof shownin Fig. 3 and15 of the drawings and said sheets are separated, advanced, delivered,and piled as previously described. when a defective sheet is again foundin the slowly moving stream, however, the inspector operates the handleI13 and said sheet is switched out as previously described. Successivedefective sheets may, through the novel construction of the latch I84and its associated parts and operating mechanisms, be successivelyswitched out and piled one upon another on table I49 by successive,operations of the handle I13 and the switch elements I10. Inthis way,the sheets which are good or without defects and the imperfect ordefective sheets may be handled and separately segregated and piled, theinspecting being accomplished and conveniently due to slow motion of thesheets while duction being far greater than heretofore possible byreason of the slow stream feeding of the sheets, the rapid separation ofthe inspected sheets therefrom, and rapid handling and segregation ofthe good and defective sheets.

While one mechanical embodiment of the present invention, and adescription of the method of said invention have beendisclosed hereinwith more or less particularlry, it'is to be expressly understood thatthe invention is not limited to said embodiment Or to said descriptionor otherwise than by the terms of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. The method of handling sheets, which comprises forming and advancinga stream of lapped sheets each partially disposed upon the succeedingsheet in overlapping relation therewith inspecting the sheetssuccessively while they are in ,the stream to determine which sheets aregood or Without defects and which sheets are imperfect or defective,separating the sheets successively from the front of the stream,advancing for further handling separated sheets found by inspection tobe good or without defects, and moving out of the line of travel-of theseparated sheets those found by inspection to be imperfect or defective.

2. The method of handling sheets, which comprises forming and slowlyadvancing a stream of lapped sheets each partially disposed upon thesucceeding sheet in overlapping relation therewith, rapidly separatingthe sheets successively from the front of the stream to completelyexpose said sheets one after another while in the stream at the frontthereof, inspecting the sheets successively each while slowly advancedand completely exposed in the stream at the front thereof to determinewhich sheets are good or defects and which sheets are imperfect ordefective, advancing for further handling separated sheets found to begood or without defects, and moving out of the line of travel of theseparated sheets those found by inspection to be imperfect or defective.

3. The method of handling sheets, which comprises forming and slowlyadvancing a stream of lapped sheets each partially disposed upon thesucceeding sheet in overlapp relation therewith, inspecting the sheetssuccessively while they are in the stream to determine which sheets aregood or without defects and which sheets are imperfect or defective,rapidly separating the sheets successively from the front of the stream,

advancing successively and assembling in pilethe separated sheets foundby'inspecgood or without defects, and moving formation tion to be beingobserved, and the prowithout imperfect or defective,

out of the line of travelof the separated sheets those found byinspection to be imperfect or defective.

4. The method of handling sheets, which comprises forming and slowlyadvancing a stream of lapped sheets each partially disposed upon thesucceeding sheet in overlapping relation therewith, inspecting thesheets successively while they are in the stream to determine whichsheets are good. or without defects and which sheets are imperfect ordefective, rapidly separating the sheets successively from the front ofthe stream, moving out of the line of travel of the'separated sheetsthosefound by inspection to be rapidly advancing successively inunlapped relation separated sheets found by inspection to be good orwithout defacts, and slowing down said last named sheets successivelyand piling them one upon another.

'5. The method of handling sheets, which comprises forming and advancinga stream of lapped sheets each partially disposed upon the succeedingsheet in overlapping relation therewith, rapidly separating the sheetssuccessively from the front of the stream, advancing successively forfurther handling thereof separated sheets selected for this purposewhile in the stream, and moving out of the line of travel of theseparated sheets certain sheets selected for this purpose while in saidstream.

6. The method of handling sheets, which coinprises forming and slowlyadvancing a stream of lapped sheets each partially disposed upon thesucceeding sheet in overlapping relation therewith, rapidly separatingthe sheets successively from the front of the stream to completelyexpose said sheets one after another while in the stream at the frontthereof, moving out of the line of travel of the separated sheetscertain sheets selected for this purpose while completely exposed in thestream at the front thereof, and advancing successively for furtherhandling thereof separated sheets selected for this purpose whilecompletely exposed in said stream at the front thereof.

7. The method of handling sheets, which comprises forming and slowlyadvancing a stream of lapped sheets each partially disposed upon thesucceeding sheet in overlapping relation therewith, rapidly separatingthe sheets successively from the front of the stream, moving out of theline of travel of the separated sheets at a predetermined time or timesany sheet or sheets selected for this purpose while in the stream, andadvancing for further handling thereof separated sheets selected forthis purpose while in said stream.

8. The method of handling sheets, which comprises forming and slowly andcontinuously advancing a stream of lapped sheets each partially disposedupon the succeeding sheet in overlapping relation therewith, rapidlyseparating.

separated sheets any sheet or sheets found by inspection to be imperfector defective, rapidly advancing successively in unlapped relation sheetsfound by inspection to be good or without defects,'and slowing down saidlast named sheets successively and piling them one upon another.

9. The method of handling sheets, which comprises forming and advancinga stream of lapped sheets each partially disposed upon the succeedingsheet in overlapping relation therewith, separating the sheetssuccessively from the front of the stream and in timed relation withformation and advance thereof, inspecting the sheets successively whilethey are in the stream to determine which sheets are good or withoutdefects and which sheets are imperfect or defective, removing from theline of travel of the separated sheets and in timed relation withformation and advance of the stream and separation of the sheetstherefrom any sheet or sheets found by inspection to be imperfect ordefective, and advancing for further handling thereof separated sheetsfound by inspection to be good or without defects.

10.; line method: of handling sheets, which comprises continuouslyforming and slowly and continuously advancing a stream of lapped sheetseach partially disposed upon the succeeding sheet in overlappingrelation therewith, rapidly and continuously separating the sheetssuccessively from the front of the stream and in timed relation withformation and advance thereof to completely expose said sheets one afteranother while they are in the stream and at the front thereof,inspecting the sheets successively each while slowly advanced andcompletely exposed in the stream at the front thereof to determine whichsheets are good or without defects and which are imperfect or defective,rapidly deflecting from the front of the stream and out of the line oftravel of the separated sheets in timed relation with formation andadvance of the stream and separation of the sheets therefrom sheetsfound by inspection the deflected imperfect or defective sheets one uponanother, rapidly advancing successively in unlapped relation separatedsheets found by inspection to be good or without defects, and slowingdown said last named sheets successively and piling them one uponanother separately from said deflected imperfect or defective sheets.

11. In apparatus of the type having means for forming and advancing astream of lapped sheets each partially disposed upon the succeedingsheet in overlapping relation therewith and means for separating thesheets successively from the front of the stream, the combination ofmechanism for deflecting out of the line of travel of the separatedsheets any sheet or sheets selected for this purpose while in thestream, and means for advancing successively for further handlingthereof separated sheets selected for this purpose while in said stream.

12. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of means forforming and advancing a stream of lapped sheets each partially disposedupon the succeeding sheet in overlapping relation therewith, means forseparating the sheets successively from the front of the stream, switchmeans for deflecting out of the line of travel of the separated sheetsany sheet or sheets found by inspection in the stream to be imperfect ordefective, and means for advancing successively for further handlingthereof sheets separated from the front of the stream and found by in--spection in said stream to be good or without defects.

13. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of means forforming and advancing a stream of lapped sheet seach partially disposedupon the succeeding sheet in overlapping relation therewith, means forseparating the sheets successively from the front of mechanism fordeflecting out of the line of travel of the separated sheets those foundby inspection in the stream to be imperfect or defective, means arrangedto receive the deflected imperfective or defective sheets one uponanother in pile formation, means for advancing successively separatedsheets found by inspection in said stream to be good or without defects,and sheet piling or delivery means arranged to receive said last namedsheets and in which the same are piled one upon another separately fromsaid deflected imperfect or defective sheets.

14. In apparatus of the type having means for forming and slowlyadvancing a stream of lapped sheets each partially disposed upon thesucceeding sheet in overlapping relation therewith and means for rapidlyseparating the sheets one after another from the front of the stream tocompletely expose the sheets successively at the front of said stream,the combination of mechanism for deflecting out of the line of travel ofthe separated sheets any sheet or sheets selected for this purpose whilecompletely exposed and in the front of the slowly advanced stream, andmeans for advancing successively for further handling thereof separatedsheets selected for this p rpose while completely exposed and in thefront of said slowly advanced stream.

15. In apparatus of the class described, means for forming and slowlyadvancing a stream of lapped sheets each partially disposed upon thesucceeding sheet in overlapping relation therewit means for rapidlyseparating the sheets one after another from the front of the stream tocompletely expose the sheets succcessively in the stream at the frontthereof, mechanism for deflecting out of the line of travel of theseparated sheets any sheet or sheets found by inspection in the front ofthe slowly advanced stream to be imperfect or defective,,means forrapidly advancing successively the separated sheets found by inspectionin the front of said slowly advanced stream to be good or withoutdefects, and means for slowing down said last named sheets successively,and delivering them one upon another in pile formation.

16. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of means forforming and slowly advancing a stream of lapped sheets each partiallydisposed upon the succeeding sheet in overlapping relation therewith,means for rapidly separating the sheets one after another from the frontof the stream to completely expose the sheets successively in the frontof said stream for inspection of the sheets therein, mechanism fordeflecting out of the line of travel of the separated sheets any sheetor sheets found to be imperfect or defective by inspection while slowlymoving and in the front of the stream, and means for rapidly advancingsuccessively in unlapped relation for further handling thereof separatedsheets found to be good or without defects by inspection while slowlymoving and in the front of said stream.

17. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of means forcontinuously forming from a supply of sheets a stream thereof whereineach sheet is partially disposed upon the sueceeding sheet inoverlapping relation therewith, slowly and continuously driven conveyingmeans arranged to receive and slowly advance the the stream,

stream of lapped sheets, mechanism adjacent the front of said conveyingmeans for rapidly sepa-' rating the sheets successively from the frontof the stream and thereby completely exposing the sheets successivelyfor inspection while slowly advancing and in the front of the slowlyadvanced stream, mechanism for deflecting out of the line of travel ofthe separated sheets any sheet or sheets found to be imperfect ordefective by inspection while completely exposed, slowly advancing andin the front of the stream, and means for rapidly advancing successivelyin unlapped relation and piling one upon another separated sheets foundto be good or without defects by' inspection thereof while completelyexposed, slowly advancing and in the front of said stream.

1 8. In apparatus of the type having means for forming and advancing astream of lapped sheets each partially disposed upon the succeedingsheet in overlapping relation therewith and means for separating thesheets successively from the front of the stream, the combination ofmechanism for deflecting out of the line-of travel of the separatedsheets and at a predetermined time or times any sheet or sheets selectedfor this purpose while in the stream, and means for advancing.successively for further handling thereof separated sheets selected forthis purpose while in said stream.

19. In apparatus of the class described,- the combination of means forforming and advancing a stream of lapped sheets each partially disposedupon the succeeding sheet in overlapping relation therewith, means forseparating the sheets successively from the front of the stream in timedrelation with formation and advance thereof, mechanism for deflectingout of the line of travel of the separated sheets in timed relation withformation and advance of said stream and separation of the sheetstherefrom any sheet or sheets found by inspection in the stream to beimperfect or defective, and means for advancing successively for furtherhandling thereof separated sheets found by inspection in the stream tobe good or without defects.

20. In apprratus of the class described, the combination of means forcontinuously forming from a supply of sheets a stream thereof whereineach sheet is partially disposed upon the sue-1 seeding sheet inoverlapping relation therewith, slowly and continuously driven conveyingmeans arranged to receive and advance the stream of lapped sheets,mechanism adjacent the front of said conveying means for rapidlyseparating the sheets successively from the front of the stream tothereby completely expose the sheets successively for inspection whileslowly advanced and in the front of said stream, means for rapidlyremoving from the line of travel of the separated sheets and in timedrelation with formation and advance of the stream and separation of thesheets therefrom any sheet found by inspection to be imperfect ordefective while slowly advanced in the front of said stream, means forrapidly advancing successively in unlapped relation the separated sheetsfound to be good or without defects by inspection of each of the samewhile slowly advanced and in the front of said stream, and means forslowing down said last named sheets successively and delivering them oneupon another in pile formation.

21. In combination, slow driven sheet conveying means, fast driven sheetconveying means,

ing drop roller interposed between said sheet conveying means, guidemeans for delivering sheets from the feed and drop rollers to a pointremoved from said feed and drop rollers and the fast drivensheetconveying means, and switch means selectively operable to enable feed ofsheets from the feed and drop rollers to said guide means or said fastdriven sheet conveying means.

23. In combination, a sheet advancing conveyor, a sheet receivingconveyor spaced therefrom, fixed guide means and movable guide meansopposed thereto and between which sheets may be delivered from the sheetadvancing conveyor to a point removed from said sheet advancing conveyorand the sheet receiving conveyor, switch means selectively operable toenable feed of sheetsrfrom the sheet advancing conveyor to said sheetreceiving conveyor or from the sheet advancing conveyor to and betweenthe fixed and movable guide means, and means for moving said movableguide means toward and away from said flxed guide means.

24. In combination, fixed and movable opposed guides between whichsheets may be delivered, switch means operable to enable or preventfeeding of sheets between said guides, and a movable carriage on whichthe movable guides and said with said fixed guides, a series of spacedaligned switch elements disposed opposite the spaces between the fixedand movable guides, said switch elements constituting a switch unitselectively operable to enable delivery of sheets between the fixed andmovable guides or prevent entry of sheets therebetween, and means formoving said movable guides toward and away from said fixed guides.

26. In combination, a series of spaced aligned fixed guides, aseries ofspaced aligned movable guides disposed in spaced opposed relation withsaid fixed guides, a series of spaced aligned switch elements disposedopposite the spaces between the fixed and movable guides, said switchelements constituting a switch unit selectively operable to enabledelivery of sheets between the fixed and movable guides or prevent entryof sheets therebetween, a movable carriage on which the movable guidesand the switch elements are mounted, and means for opera-ting saidcarriage in opposite directions to move said movable guides and saidswitch elements toward and away from the fixed guides. I

27. In combination, spaced aligned guides, other spaced aligned'guidesarranged in spaced opposed relation with the first named guides, opposedrollers arranged in the spaces between said guides for feeding sheetsalong and between the same, and spaced aligned switch elements betweencertain of the opposed rollers and extending in the spaces between saidfixed and movable guides, said switch elements constituting a unitselectively operable to enable feeding otsheets along and between theopposed guides or prevent entry of sheets therebetween.

28. In combination, curved and fixed guides, curved and movable guidesarranged in spaced opposed relation with the fixed guides, switch meansselectively operable to enable delivery of sheets between and along thefixed and movable guides or prevent entry of sheets therebetween, amovable carriage on which the movable guides are mounted, said switchmeans also being mounted on said carriage, and means for operating thecarriage in opposite directions to move the movable guides and theswitch meanstoward and away from said fixed guides.

29. In combination, curved spaced laterally aligned fixed guides andcurved spaced laterally aligned movable guides between which sheets maybe delivered and fed, a plurality of sets of spaced laterally alignedfeed rollers disposed one set in advance of another about the curvedfixed guides and extending in the spaces therebetween, a plurality ofsets of laterally aligned rollers disposed one set in advance of anotherabout the curved movable guides and extending in the spaces therebetweenin opposed relation with said feed rollers, a plurality of switchelements located between certain of the sets of rollers and extending inthe spaces between the fixed and movable guides, said switch elementsconstituting a unit selectively operable to enable feeding of sheets bysaid rollers along and between the fixed and movable guides or prevententry of sheets therebetween, a movable carriage on which the movableguides, said second named sets of rollers, and the switch elements aremounted, and means for op-' erating the carriage in opposite directionsto move certain of the rollers'toward and away from other rollers and tomove said movable guides and the switch elements toward and away fromsaid fixed guides.

30. The combination with a switch, means for operating the switch, and alatch engageable with and disengageable from the switch operating meansto prevent or provide for, operation of the switch thereby, of powerdriven latch operating means normally ineflective to disengage the latchfrom the switch operating means, and means for rendering said powerdriven latch operating means effective to disengage the latch from theswitch operatin means.

31. The combination with a switch, means for operating the switch, and alatch engageable with and disengageable from the switch operating meanst prevent or provide for operation of the switchv thereby, ofcontinuously operated latch 1 operating the switch, and a latchengageable operating means normally ineffective to disenv gage the latchfrom the switch operating means, and. manually operated means forrenderin the continuously operated latch operating means effective todisengage the latch from the switch operating means.

32. In apparatus of the type having means for feeding sheets in apredetermined path 'of travel therefor, a switch, switch operating meansfor moving the switch into and out of the path of travel of the sheets,and a latch normally engaged with the switch operating means to preventthe same from moving the switch into said path,

the combination of continuously operated latch operating means normallyinefiective to disengage the latch from the switch operating means, adevice manually movable in one direction to render the latch operatingmeans effective to with and disengageable from the switch operatingmeans to prevent or provide for operation of the switch thereby, oflatch operating means normally ineffective to disengage the latch fromthe switch operating means, and means movable into and out of a positionbetween the latch and the latch operating means to render the sameefi'ective or ineflective to disengage said latch from said switchoperating means.

34. The combination with a switch, means for operating the switch, and alatch engageable with and disengageable from the switch operating meansto prevent or provide for operation of the switch thereby, of latchoperating means normally ineifective to disengage the latch from theswitch operating means, a device movable into a position betweenthelatch and the latch operating means to render the latter eflective todisengage said latch from said switch operating means, and manuallyoperated means for moving said device into said position.

35. In apparatus of the type having means for feeding sheets in apredetermined path of travel therefor, a switch, switch operating meansfor moving the switch into and out of the path of travel of the sheets,anda latch normally-engaged with the switch operating means to preventthe same from moving the switch into said path, the combination ofcontinuously operated latch operating means normally inefifective todisengage the latch. from the switch operating means, a device movableinto a position between the latch and its operating means to render thelatter eifective to disengage the latch from the switch operating meansand enable the same to move the switch into said path, manually operatedmeans for moving the device into said position, and means for moving thedevice out of said position while the switch is disposed in said path tothereby reset said device and again provide for manual actuation thereofinto said position prior to movement of the switch out of said path bysaid switch operating means.

36. The combination with a switch, means for operating the switch, and alatch engageable with and disengageable from the switch operating meansto prevent or provide for operation of the switch thereby, of latchoperating means normally ineifective to disengage the latch from theswitch operating means, and a device on the latch movable relativethereto out of and into a position between the latch and the latchoperating means to render the same efiective or inefiective to disengagesaid latch from said switch operating means.

3'7. In apparatus of the type having means for feeding sheets in apredetermined path of travel therefor, a switch, switch operating meansfor moving the switch into and out of the path of travel of the sheets,and a latch normally engaged with the switch operating means to preventthe same from moving the switch into said path, the combination ofcontinuously operated latch operating means normally ineilective todisengage the latch from the switch operating means, a device movableinto a position between the latch and its operating means to render thelatter effective to disengage the latch from the switch operating-meansand enable the same to move the switch into said path, manually operatedmeans for moving the device into said position, and cam means on saidcontinuously operated latch operating means for automatically movingsaid device out of said position while the switch is disposed in saidpath to thereby reset the device and again provide for manual actuationthereof into said position prior to movement of the switch out of saidpath by the switch operating means.

38. The combination with a switch, means for operating the switch, and alatch engageable with-and disengageable from the switch operating meansto prevent or provide for operation of the switch thereby, of latchoperating means normally ineffective to disengage the latch from theswitch operating means, a device movable into and out of a positionbetween the latch and the latch operating means to render the sameeffective or ineffective to disengage the latch from said switchoperating means, and means on the latch for guiding said latch operatingmeans.

39. The combination with a switch, means for operating the switch, and alatch engageable with and disengageable from the switch operating meansto prevent or provide for operation of the switch thereby, of latchoperating means having an abutment movable toward and away from thelatch, and a device movable into and out of the path of travel of saidabutment to .prevent or provide for disengagement of said latch fromsaid switch operating means by the latch operating means.

40. In combination, slow driven endless sheet conveying means, fastdriven endless sheet conveying means, a fast driven feed roller andcooperating drop roller interposed between the fast and slow drivenendless sheet conveying means, switch means selectively operable toenable or prevent feed of sheets by said rollers from one to the otherof said endless sheet conveying means, a and means for operating saidswitch means in timed relation with the operation of said drop roller.

LEONARD BAKER.

